Dr. Angie Cruz, the reluctant Grand Marshal

Being Grand Marshal is ‘not in my vocabulary…but no regrets.’ Photo by Victor Palmos

By Cristina DC Pastor

This year’s Grand Marshals for the 127th Philippine Independence Day parade on June 1 is the well-liked couple Dr. Emilio Quines and his wife of two years Dr. Angie Cruz.

The pair were presented before a Grand Soiree on January 11 to kick off the celebration. The yearly gathering is said to be the largest outside of the Philippines with officials, citing police estimates, putting  the crowd at around 25,000.

While Quines is the ideal standard bearer for this year’s parade being a recipient of the 2024 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas,  his wife, the ‘low-key, behind-the-scenes’ Cruz felt being Grand Marshal was not something she aspired to be.

“Never, never, never,” she stressed before a fancy-dressed party of nearly a hundred guests at a Rockefeller Center venue, “did I want to be Grand Marshal. Wala sa ambisyon ko yon, wala sa bokabularyo ko.”

But then, she quickly continued, “Kaya lang ang nangyari, nag-asawa ako bigla.”  

The crowd erupted into laughter. They did not expect the usually formal and proper Cruz to deliver a banter.

Widower Quines and the never-married Cruz, both in their 80s, married on September 7, 2023 and quickly attained power couple status. The New York Times did a nice feature on their charming love story titled “It’s Never Too Late to Find Love. Just Ask These Octogenarians.” Quines was 83, and  Cruz turned 80 on the date of the wedding.

Cruz shared how her husband would question why she never walked with him during parade ceremonies, she would reply that it was his moment and that she would rather be in the background.  

So when PIDCI invited Quines to be this year’s GM, he said to his wife, “Dapat kasama ka, dapat Grand Marshal ka rin.”

Dr. Emilio Quines and wife Dr. Angie Cruz. Photos by Joros Razon
From left: Quines, Cruz, Consul General Senen Mangalile, Ma. Fe Mangalile, Joyce Andes-David, and Arman David

Cruz would find out how tough it was to say ‘no’ when hubby puts his mind to a plan. And so it was decided: Both of them will be leading the 35th anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day parade, welcoming political and diplomatic dignitaries on Madison Avenue the morning of June 1, and being the face that embodies the success and accomplishments of Filipino Americans.

“Pag naisip niya, mahirap tumanggi,” she said.  “Of course I have no regrets.”

“I’m excited that Doc Angie and Doc Boy Quines, a kind-hearted and humble couple are leading our Independence Day Parade as Grand Marshals this year, a truly well-deserved recognition of their dedication and service to our community,” said PIDCI President Arman David as he welcomed the couple on behalf of the officers.

The one-block parade began 35 years ago around the Philippine Consulate and has expanded into a 10-block parade route along Madison Avenue.  FilAms eagerly await the celebration, said David,  “not only (of) our independence but also the stories, values, and traditions that define us as a community.”

PIDCI officers for 2025

The event also presented the newly elected officers of PIDCI:

President: Arman David

Vice President: Lea Frain

Treasurer : Jovel Golingan

Secretary :  Joyce Andes-David

Executive Director: Nora Galleros

Chief of Staff: Ner Martinez

Board of Directors: Nongsky Aquino, Betty Corrales, Bong Echavez, Dora Koltsidis, Sol Kapunan, Czar Lopez, Maria Nucum, Arnel Piamonte, Aida Tagle, Paul Versoza, and Rico Viray



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